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How do you perfectly grill a steak? Ask this question to a handful of backyard chefs, and you may get varying answers. There’s no shortage of opinions when it comes to grilling steak. Everyone seems to have their own beef grilling techniques and methods.
In this article, we offer a comprehensive steak grilling guide to help you decide your best way to cook Lazy T Ranch steak. Like with most things, there’s more than one way to cook the perfect steak. Our steak grilling tips and recipes cover everything from prep to perfect doneness.
How should you prepare Lazy T Ranch steaks before grilling?
What you do to the steaks before grilling matters as much as how you grill them. At least an hour before grilling, remove the steaks from the refrigerator and let them reach room temperature.
The prime time to add seasoning is up for debate. Salt pulls moisture from the steak, so it’s best to either salt the meat right before grilling or several hours before to allow the moisture to reabsorb into the steak. If grilling a tougher cut of steak, marinate for up to a week.
Lazy T Ranch steaks are rich in flavor, so they’re best grilled with minimal seasoning. Salt and pepper should do the trick.
What grill temperature is ideal for cooking steaks?
Whether you use a charcoal or gas grill, the ideal temperature for cooking steaks is somewhere between 450°F (232°C) and 500°F (260°C). The high heat creates the Maillard reaction, which produces a delicious crust on the steak’s exterior while keeping the interior juicy and tender.
This applies to all cuts of steak.
The Maillard reaction is a cooking process responsible for the browning and development of complex flavors. Thanks to the high temperature, the meat transforms. Not only does it develop a crust that locks in moisture, but its texture and flavor change for the better.
Cooking steaks at a lower temperature (400°F and below) won’t produce the same results.
When cooking a steak, we recommend setting up a two-zone grill. Each zone has a different temperature, which gives you more control over how your steak cooks. One zone offers intense, direct heat while the other provides cooler, indirect heat.
You can set up two zones with both gas and charcoal grills. For gas, heat one side of the grill and leave the other side alone. For charcoal, place the chimney-lit, ashy coals on one side of the grill.
How long should you grill Lazy T Ranch steaks for each level of doneness?
When deciding how long to grill a steak at 450°F, consider the steak’s thickness, the type of steak, and your desired level of doneness. For reference, the steak’s internal temperature should reach the following . . .
- Rare (red center): 125°F to 130°F
- Medium-rare (warm, dark pink center): 130°F to 135°F
- Medium (warm, pink center): 140°F to 145°F
- Medium-well (hot, slightly pink center): 150°F to 155°F
- Well-done (brown all the way through): 160°F to 165°F
If you don’t have a meat thermometer, you can use a metal cake tester to gauge the steak’s internal temperature. Simply insert the metal tester into the steak, leave it for five seconds, then pull it out and touch the tip to your lips or inner wrist. If the tester is cold, your steak is rare; if it feels warm, the steak is medium-rare; and if it’s slightly hot, the steak is medium.
Generally, we recommend you grill our steaks for 3-5 uninterrupted minutes per side (6-10 minutes total) for a medium-rare steak. A 1-inch steak will only need about 3-4 minutes per side over direct, high heat while thicker cuts require more time on the grill followed by time in indirect heat until the internal temperature reaches the desired doneness. The key is to not overcook. Once a steak is removed from heat, it will continue to cook, so you should aim for about 5 degrees below your target internal temperature when removing the steak from the grill. As the steak rests, its temperature will rise 5 degrees and juices will redistribute throughout the cut, making it juicy and extra tender.
What techniques can be used to ensure even cooking on the grill?
30 minutes before grilling, remove your steaks from the fridge and let them reach room temperature. This will ensure they cook evenly. Then, trim excess fat and make vertical slashes in the outer ring of fat to prevent curling. Season with freshly ground pepper and salt—we recommend a medium-sized grain of sea salt. Brush the steaks with butter (to prevent sticking) and place them on a heated grill.
Sear for 3-5 minutes per side with the lid closed. Once a crust has developed, move the steaks to the cooler side (zone) of the grill, close the lid, and allow the steaks to continue cooking for 2-11 minutes depending on the steak’s thickness, grill temp, and desired doneness.
Let the steaks rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. We recommend you place the steaks on a cutting board and loosely cover them with aluminum foil during this step. Slice against the grain and enjoy a juicy, evenly cooked steak.
What tools or grilling accessories are recommended for the perfect steak cookout?
First, you need a grill. (If you’re using a charcoal grill, we recommend you purchase high-quality charcoal—hardwood or hardwood lump—and a chimney lighter.) You also need a reliable meat thermometer or metal cake tester, tongs, salt and pepper, oil or butter, and your favorite steak.
The quality of the meat makes all the difference. Look for a well-marbled steak. Fat equals flavor, so a cut with flecks of buttery fat woven throughout the muscle is sure to offer a delicious meal. Our steak is grass-fed, grain-finished, and expertly dry-aged for 21 days to provide maximum flavor and tenderness.
Are there specific cuts of steak from Lazy T Ranch that are better suited for grilling?
All our steaks cook well on the grill. However, skirt steaks tend to do best on a hot grill while cuts like the New York and Ribeye cook to perfection in a cast-iron pan.
As we said earlier, the best way to grill or cook a steak is subjective. There are plenty of nuances to the process, and every grill master seems to have their preference. We hope our tips empower you to discover your favorite way of cooking Lazy T Ranch steak.
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